Marta Gomez

This is the record that brought this Colombian-born songstress widespread critical acclaim. Cantos De Agua Dulce charted on Billboard's Top 10 Jazz Albums tally, the CMJ New World Chart and the World Music Europe Chart. On the strength of this recording, Gomez was nominated for Best Latin Jazz Vocalist of 2005 by Billboard's Latin Music Awards and was described by the magazine's reviewer as "… the essence of Latin cool".

This is the record that brought this Colombian-born songstress widespread critical acclaim. "Cantos De Agua Dulce" charted on Billboard's Top 10 Jazz Albums tally, the CMJ New World Chart and the World Music Europe Chart. On the strength of this recording, Gomez was nominated for Best Latin Jazz Vocalist of 2005 by Billboard's Latin Music Awards and was described by the magazine's reviewer as "the essence of Latin cool".

This is the record that brought this Colombian-born songstress widespread critical acclaim. Cantos De Agua Dulce charted on Billboard's Top 10 Jazz Albums tally, the CMJ New World Chart and the World Music Europe Chart. On the strength of this recording, Gomez was nominated for Best Latin Jazz Vocalist of 2005 by Billboard's Latin Music Awards and was described by the magazine's reviewer as "… the essence of Latin cool".

This is the record that brought this Colombian-born songstress widespread critical acclaim. "Cantos De Agua Dulce" charted on Billboard's Top 10 Jazz Albums tally, the CMJ New World Chart and the World Music Europe Chart. On the strength of this recording, Gomez was nominated for Best Latin Jazz Vocalist of 2005 by Billboard's Latin Music Awards and was described by the magazine's reviewer as "the essence of Latin cool".

Chesky Records release. Colombian singer/songwriter Marta Gomez is a wonderful, enigmatic talent. Her voice has the lulling softness that evokes Brazil's female vocal icons, yet there's a depth to her writing that goes far beneath the surface. She's also something of an expert on Latin rhythms - there are 13 different ones on this disc, all of them rooted in different cultures, from Colombian bambuco to Argentine chamame.

Chesky Records release. Colombian singer/songwriter Marta Gomez is a wonderful, enigmatic talent. Her voice has the lulling softness that evokes Brazil's female vocal icons, yet there's a depth to her writing that goes far beneath the surface. She's also something of an expert on Latin rhythms - there are 13 different ones on this disc, all of them rooted in different cultures, from Colombian bambuco to Argentine chamame.

Colombian jazz-folk singer-composer Gomez has achieved a charming synthesis of old and new, past and present. Her compositions are a travelogue of South and Central American, Caribbean and European influences. She moves fluidly between Peruvian lando, Argentinean chamame and Cuban son, weaving African-derived rhythms and percussions over the plaintive melodies of indigenous peoples or descended from Spanish conquistadores, whose own songs incorporated Sephardic Jewish and Moorish sounds. Recorded at New York’s Saint Peter’s Church, which is equally famous for its jazz ministry and warm acoustics, her clear, crooning mezzo-soprano is supported by an intimate combo of strings, woodwinds and percussion, plus an occasional accordion. In such a setting and in the hands of such talented performers, the special timbre of each instrument is appreciated anew and even handclaps take on an almost orchestral importance. One delightful stand-out is a Mexican ranchera-infused treatment of "Cielito Lindo." A chestnut if there ever was one, Gomez’ tender interpretation reflects love for her mother (whose name is Cielo – "Cielito" is the diminutive) and a sense that even familiar things may harbor unexpected surprises. –Christina Roden